You're right, it isn't about living longer. It's about our cognitive abilities, perhaps. Using your metaphor… I think, variable X is going to infinity _in both

You're right, it isn't about living longer. It's about our cognitive abilities, perhaps. Using your metaphor… I think, variable X is going to infinity _in both cases_. It's just that we operate in an environment where the infinity equals to what is a finite number (two or three digit integer) in another system. Another way to put this: One can't experience anything except one's life. Therefore, life is infinite to person's subjective experience (the only experience available). EDIT: Okay, I think I see where we disagree. In my view, while what you perceive may not be the "reality" in some absolute sense, it is the only reality for you nevertheless. And your death doesn't exist there, much like dragons or wizards. In short, yes, the fact that you can't perceive your own death means that you don't die. You seem to have different point of view.